Jenn J Mcleod takes us back to country New South Wales in her third novel Season Of Shadow and Light. Although not actually set in the town of Callingary Crossing where her previous books were set, it is very much in the same vicinity, which gave it a nice link to the other stories of Jenn's which I enjoyed so much.
Paige Turner has enjoyed more than her fair share of heartbreak in her life, losing her mother at a young age, then suffering the devastation of a late term miscarriage. To compound matters complications after the birth have left her physically incapacitated and unable to continue her much loved career as a food critic. Finding out about her husband's infidelity is the tipping point leading to Paige to pack up her daughter Matilda and stepmother Alice and heading to outback NSW.
Paige Turner has enjoyed more than her fair share of heartbreak in her life, losing her mother at a young age, then suffering the devastation of a late term miscarriage. To compound matters complications after the birth have left her physically incapacitated and unable to continue her much loved career as a food critic. Finding out about her husband's infidelity is the tipping point leading to Paige to pack up her daughter Matilda and stepmother Alice and heading to outback NSW.
Their destination, the small town of Saddleton, has not been chosen at random. Having found an old photo of her mother taken in the town, Paige is curious to discover the unknown link. Although outwardly supportive of Paige's quest, Alice is clearly uncomfortable about Paige probing into the past and becomes increasingly agitated when floodwaters see them stranded in the tiny village of Coolabah Tree Gully. While Paige is content to stay and enjoy the local hospitality, Alice can speak of nothing but getting out and heading to their original destination or better still back home.
As with her other books Jenn illustrates the beauty of small town country life as the characters (with the exception of Alice) leave behind their city stresses and embrace the abundant natural beauty surrounding Coolabah Tree Gully. Paige's mother's secret past is gradually revealed and it is easy to understand Alice's angst and why she has kept the tragic secret for so many years.
Many themes are explored in Season of Shadow and Light - prejudice, love in all its forms, the power of forgiveness and learning to embrace and accept the past. It also explores such things as depression, organ donation and miscarriage. The characters are all well drawn and the kind of warm, three dimensional people readers have come to know in all Jenn J. McLeod's books.
For fans of Jenn J McLeod Season Of Shadow and Light will not disappoint and for those new to the series, you will no doubt be inspired to read the other titles.
As with her other books Jenn illustrates the beauty of small town country life as the characters (with the exception of Alice) leave behind their city stresses and embrace the abundant natural beauty surrounding Coolabah Tree Gully. Paige's mother's secret past is gradually revealed and it is easy to understand Alice's angst and why she has kept the tragic secret for so many years.
Many themes are explored in Season of Shadow and Light - prejudice, love in all its forms, the power of forgiveness and learning to embrace and accept the past. It also explores such things as depression, organ donation and miscarriage. The characters are all well drawn and the kind of warm, three dimensional people readers have come to know in all Jenn J. McLeod's books.
For fans of Jenn J McLeod Season Of Shadow and Light will not disappoint and for those new to the series, you will no doubt be inspired to read the other titles.
